Vision 21213 Feb 2019 10:06
Bangladesh has substantial but mostly unexploited superior quality (higher heating value, low sulphur, and low ash) black coal (bituminous) resources which if exploited adopting off-the-shelf state-of-the-art technology can facilitate generation of 20,000 MW coal based mine-mouth power for 50 years. But confused state of decision makers arising out of ill motivated unprofessional propaganda of a vested interest quarter makes professionals anxious that Bangladesh coal may remain buried forever.
It sounds silly that Bangladesh instead is harbouring the plan of relying on imported coal with no enabling infrastructure for coal import and not enough proven managerial or technical capacity to implement mega projects. Concerned authorities appear to be groping in the dark as well. There is no firm commitment for coal supply from any source, no in-depth techno economic feasibility study on price of power that would be generated from imported coal. One must keep in mind that billions of dollars will be required for setting up of a coal port with required coal handling and storage facilities. Bangladesh being one of the most vulnerable country affected by Green House gas (GHG) emissions with frequent visits of flood , cyclones and tidal surge have to use higher quality expensive coal and adopt super critical or ultra super critical technology .
Putting all these together Bangladesh will find it extremely challenging to implement any of the many imported coal-fired power plant projects. Many professionals are of the opinion that Bangladesh could be much better off in exploring and exploiting its own coal and setting up mine-mouth power plants. The challenges of mining own coal cannot be greater than relying on imported coal. All the impacts those are being talked about are technically manageable. Government has enough documents at its disposal on how to deal with these. But a vested interest group inside and outside the government manages to misguide the Prime Minister making it extremely difficult for Bangladesh achieving long term energy security.
Bangladesh has a national vision of achieving medium income country status on its Golden Jubilee Year of National Independence in 2021.There are very encouraging signs that if planned properly and implemented with clinical perfection it will not be beyond the reach . But to reach there Bangladesh will require sustainable energy security. All our achievements - food for all, quality education, and quality medical care, rapid industrialization for economic development and creating jobs for poverty alleviation, creating better communication infrastructures, digitization of activities are contingent upon availability, accessibility and affordability of energy. All these will depend on sustained availability of primary fuel at affordable cost.
Our limited natural gas resource is already showing alarming signs of depletion. The government has rightly adopted fuel diversification policy. But instead of making
Sign In
Follow the stocks
